Page 49 of The New Girl

‘Imagine if that was your brother!’ Amber squealed.

Ruby put her head down to hide her red cheeks. She was mortified that they had seen Robbie like this. She felt ashamed of Robbie and ashamed of herself for being ashamed of her brother. Now they’d tell everyone in school that they’d seen Ruby’s brother having a fit. Ruby didn’t want people talking about Robbie. She hated this. She hated when Robbie freaked out in public. It was so awkward.

‘HI, AMBER!’ Safa shouted across the road. ‘HI, CHRISSIE!’

‘What are you doing?’ Ruby hissed.

‘I’m not letting them ignore you. It’s not right,’ Safa said.

Amber and Chrissie started walking faster.

‘AMBER, CHRISSIE, HI!’ Safa roared.

People were looking at them with Robbie freaking out and Safa shouting. Ruby began to sweat. ‘Stop, seriously,’ she begged.

‘No.’ Safa’s teeth were gritted.

Amber and Chrissie could see people looking at them. They gave a little wave of their hands and walked quickly away.

With Safa shouting her head off, Robbie had got distracted and started to calm down.

A man, about Ruby’s dad’s age, came over to Safa. ‘Oi, stop shouting at those poor girls and go home to your own country. We don’t want you refugees here,’ he hissed.

‘Those girls are bullies,’ Safa said calmly.

‘Shut up and go home, you dirty foreigner. And take that stupid scarf off.’ The man reached over and tried to pull Safa’s hijab off.

Ruby felt rage rise up inside her like a fire. She whipped around to face the man and roared at him. ‘How dare you speak to my friend like that? She is the best friend I’ve ever had. How dare you tell her to go back to her country? Her country is in a war – she had to leave or die. She is a brilliant person and we are lucky to have her here. How dare you come over here and try to bully her, you horrible man?’

A small group had gathered to see what was going on.

‘Well said, pet.’ A woman patted Ruby on the back.

‘Good girl, you tell him,’ another man agreed.

‘Leave these girls alone, you racist,’ an older woman shouted.

The man walked away, and people moved off.

Ruby turned to Safa. ‘Are you OK?’

Safa had tears in her eyes. ‘Yes, you were amazing. Thank you.’

Ruby shook her head. ‘No, you were amazing, not letting Amber and Chrissie ignore me.’

‘There are bullies everywhere. We have to stand up to them.’

‘You’re right. I guess I didn’t have the courage before I met you,’ Ruby said.

Safa fixed her hijab. ‘I’m not brave, I’m just sick of people being cruel to each other.’

Ruby linked her friend’s arm. ‘Can you come on all my walks with Robbie from now on?’

Safa grinned. ‘Yes.’

Robbie looked up at them. ‘Again!’

The two friends giggled.

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